Infertility in mice induced by a recombinant ectromelia virus expressing mouse zona pellucida glycoprotein 3.
Population control has become a major problem in many wildlife species. Fertility control through immunocontraception has been proposed as a method for reducing population size. We have tested the concept that immunocontraception can be achieved with a recombinant ectromelia virus expressing an ovary-specific antigen, the mouse zona pellucida 3 (ZP3) glycoprotein. Female mice infected with the recombinant virus produced autoimmune antibodies against ZP3 and were infertile for 5-9 mo after infection. For almost half the infertile mice, immunity to ZP3 was associated with a disruption of ovarian follicular development and the depletion of mature follicles without observable oophoritis. Mice returned to fertility as the anti-ZP3 antibody level in the serum decreased. Reinfection of the mice with the recombinant virus boosted the anti-ZP3 response and restored infertility.
Jackson
R J
RJ
Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Division of Wildlife and Ecology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT. r.jackson@dwe.csiro.au
Maguire
D J
DJ
Hinds
L A
LA
Ramshaw
I A
IA
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D003269:Contraception, Immunologic; D004481:Ectromelia virus / Q000235:genetics*; D004527:Egg Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D007114:Immunization; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000276:immunology*; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D015044:Zona Pellucida / Q000276:immunology; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins
D004527:Egg Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000072216:Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins; C000606521:Zp3 protein, mouse